World Bank Africa staff meet on bird flu

International agencies fighting the avian flu epidemic concluded a regional workshop with a renewed call for effective and comprehensive strategies in Africa. In Mozambique held June 4-6, the World Bank Africa Avian Influenza Task Force brought together Agriculture/Veterinary, Health and Communications staff from Country Offices throughout Africa to evaluate and plan the operational response to avian influenza on the continent.

The workshop focused on operational activities and specific technical issues including surveillance, vaccination, compensation, and lab capacity, and included a simulation exercise that explored the challenges of cross-sectoral cooperation and the importance of integrating the veterinary and health sectors with a communications component for maximum effectiveness.

Africa had its first outbreak of avian influenza in Nigeria in February 2006, followed by subsequent outbreaks in seven other African countries last year. The virus reappeared in four reported outbreaks in Ghana since April of this year.

The poultry sector has been decimated in several countries due to poultry mortality and the culling of infected flocks. The African poultry industry, whose commercial farms feed the growing urban population in many countries, has lost an estimated $60 million, and there has been a sizable impact upon rural Africans who depend upon home-grown poultry for food and income.

There have only been 307 confirmed human cases worldwide (36 in Africa), of which 187 have been fatal. Ok Pannenborg, Senior Health Advisor for the Bank’s Africa Region emphasizes the importance of a cross-sectoral approach to avian influenza, noting “If the virus were to mutate such that it could spread sustainably among humans, Africa’s relatively weak health systems would face unprecedented challenges.”

Huliq